Just 3% of New Zealand’s tradespeople are women. That figure has long been seen as a symptom of the cultural and practical barriers that make the sector feel inaccessible, from a lack of visible role models to workplaces designed with men in mind.
In response, BCITO’s new Actions Speak Louder initiative is attracting more women to the trades. Six percent of BCITO apprentices are women, up from less than 1% five years ago. The number of young women participating in the BCITO Gateway programme has doubled since 2022.
The initiative is focused on turning intent into action by removing everyday obstacles and providing the kinds of resources that make sites genuinely welcoming for women.
As part of the initiative, BCITO has partnered with organisations such as Dignity, Hirepool, NZ Safety Blackwoods, Queens Workwear, Cleanline Tasman and TrainHer to provide free period products, sanitary bins, and injury-prevention programmes, along with discounted portaloos and women’s workwear.
NAWIC 2025 Rising Star Haley Watts was introduced to trades through her school’s Gateway programme, alongside guidance that gave her confidence to get started.
“Having a mentor, I can ring any time, has been huge, and learning safer techniques early on meant I could do the same work as everyone else without wrecking my body. Being in a room full of women doing big things made it feel possible,” she says.
Lucy Brailsford placed second in the regional NZ Certified Builders Apprentice of the Year competition. She is pleased to see more opportunities for women to get involved in the sector.
“I believe they have a lot more opportunities now with Gateway programmes, for example. However, the key to inclusion for me is about the culture employers provide for the team. Every apprentice will have a different version of what inclusivity looks like, but finding the right employer is what makes the difference. No day really looks the same as a builder, and that’s why I love it.”
The sector goal is to increase the number of women in construction trades roles to 30%, according to BCITO. However, issues with numbers in construction transcend gender. A new NZCBIA report highlighted how retention is a key issue across the industry. More than one-third of workers have been in their roles for less than a year, and just 6% remain in their positions for more than five years.
“The report also highlights what we’ve been saying for a long time – that when demand for new construction comes back, it is essential we have enough qualified tradies to meet that demand. Boosting recruitment and improving retention through targeted support for all kinds of workers are equally important,” says Greg Durkin, Director of BCITO.
In addition to providing practical support, the Actions Speak Louder campaign is highlighting the stories of women who are already thriving in the trades. From builders and painters to plasterers and joiners, their journeys are being shared in schools, online, and across worksites to challenge long-held stereotypes.
Employers are also being asked to play their part by looking closely at the culture they create on-site. That might involve offering more flexible work options, establishing peer mentoring programs, or ensuring that basic facilities meet everyone’s needs.
The aim is to move past the idea that inclusion is just a “tick-box exercise” and instead treat it as a way to build stronger, more loyal teams. Industry leaders say that as more businesses adopt these approaches, the benefits will be felt across the workforce – with better retention and a more sustainable pipeline of skilled tradies for the future.
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